The European-American University (EAU) distanced itself from the purported award of an honorary doctorate degree to popular Hausa musician Dauda Kahutu Rarara, describing the Abuja ceremony as a “complete fraud.”
The Saturday ceremony at the Nicon Luxury Hotel where the likes of Katsina State governor Dikko Radda were in attendance saw Rarara and several others receive purported honorary degrees from impersonators who purported to represent the EAU.
In a statement on its website, the institution said it did not recognise nor authorise the convocation.
“The University has not approved any convocation to be conducted in this venue today and the event has been fraudulently planned without the knowledge of or approval of the University,” the statement read.
The school condemned the organisers for deceiving the invitees that they were acting on behalf of the institution, insisting that no authority had been delegated to them.
“European-American University did not confer any honorary doctorate degrees to Dauda Kahutu Rarara, Alhaji Ahmed Saleh Jnr., Mustapha Abdullahi Bujawa, and Tarela Boroh. All the graduates of the University are registered in the Register of Graduates… Such individuals are not honorands of the University and do not have a valid connection to us,” it added.
EAU also discredited accusations that targeted some individuals among its leadership. It disowned Musari Audu Isyaku, described as “Northern Nigeria representative,” and revoked the fellowship of Idris Aliyu, misrepresented as a governing council member.
The university also clarified the composition of its leadership, affirming Professor Luca Scotto di Tella de’ Douglas di Castel di Ripa to be the current Vice-Chancellor, and ex-VC Dr. Josephine Egbuta still removed and devoid of authority to act on behalf of the university.
As far as its legality is concerned, the school explained that it is currently registered in France and boasts a Royal Charter of Incorporation issued by the Kingdom of Bunyoro-Kitara in Uganda, not Dominica or Panama as claimed by the event organisers.
“The University will further approach the legal authorities in Nigeria to ensure that no more counterfeit University certificates are issued by the culprits of this fraud, who must face the full force of the law,” the statement concluded.
